Thanks to everyone who has watched and listened to the podcast this year, it’s been lovely to see how many people have engaged with it and I really appreciate the feedback that people have sent in!

I’m taking a short break through January and February to work on another project, but before I do I’ve got two episodes to share in which I gave previous podcast guests the opportunity to ask me questions.

This is the first, in which I answer questions by Hannah Davies, James Buck, Jeff Clark, Heather Niven, Nicole Vogwill, Lauren Roberts, and Luke Porter.

His research focuses on the applications of interactive storytelling and artificial intelligence to broadcast media, bridging fine art, interactive media and computer science. He has also developed and exhibited technology with a number of leading creative institutions including Tate, FACT and the BBC.

In this episode we discuss how this kind of research will effect the future of storytelling and broadcast media, including the considerations that have to be taken into account when creating highly personalised content.

We chat about artificial curiosity, how you would go about synthesising creativity, and whether that would even be a good things, as well as looking at the similarities between painting and coding to describe the links between art, science and media.

Richard O’Hare is one of the founders of Orillo Films, and works within the company as a cinematographer, drone pilot, producer and director.

As a production company Orillo work all over the world with clients such as Dulux, Jack Wills, and Toyota, but they’re also known for their other creative endeavours in events and merchandise, including their outdoor cinemas, clothing, and their Orillo branded Vodka.

In this episode we discuss the motivation behind taking on these extra creative challenges which aren’t necessarily part of your core business, we get into the ethics and morality of creating branded marketing content, as well as the murky waters of taking on free work, and Richard offers his advice on growing your company, through hiring for passion to build a strong and resilient team.

Mim Robson is an artist and workshop facilitator working primarily in ephemeral art with natural materials, often within the landscape. She creates temporary artworks ranging from delicate and vibrant flower and leaf mandalas, to huge scale beach artworks.

Mim also runs Keeping it Crafty, putting on creative socials, events and workshops aimed at providing opportunities to enhance creativity, learn new skills, meet new people, inspire, and develop community.

In this episode we chat about what it’s like to create in front of an audience, Mim’s approach to working in the creative arts and how that’s allowed her to generate an income, as well as the importance of creating work just for yourself, simply because you enjoy it.

Joanne Coates is a documentary photographer, and the founder of Lens Think – a social enterprise set up to promote diversity in the creative arts. Lens Think put on socials and pop up exhibitions in locations all around Yorkshire, and help share artist opportunities.

In Joanne’s work as a photographer she is interested in working life and class inequality, which is represented in her diverse portfolio of personal and commissioned work. She has been published by the BBC, Vice, The Telegraph and The Guardian, and has had her approach to photography described as democratic and poetic.

In this episode we discuss how photography can be used as a medium to highlight under represented issues, the social responsibility artists have when saying they are giving people a voice, and the need for a more representative generation of artists to become the creative future of tomorrow.

“I found a vent for my creativity within the classroom. There’s an artistry in creating those kind of engagements.”

Colin Jackson (@colin_clp) has worked in arts & cultural education for 28 years, and is the founder of Creative Learning Partnerships, a consultancy, project management and event management company specialising in working with young people and communities.

In this episode we discuss the early experiences that drew Colin towards a career in the arts, about passive vs active learning and the teachers that go the extra mile to make a difference for their students, and how technology will affect creativity and education in the future.

“Being an artist is just doing it. You can’t question whether or not someone is an artist if they’re making something.”

Jeff Clark is the co-owner of the Art of Protest Gallery, an urban contemporary art gallery based in Little Stonegate. Formerly a photography teacher, and a practicing photographer when he gets the time, we discuss the work Jeff is drawn to both as an artist himself and as a curator.

We also chat about what a digital revolution means for our town centres, its effect on retail and social spaces, the need for story behind any good work or product, and the need to create social happenings in our city.

Heather Niven is an artist and musician, and the head of Science City York, an organisation tasked with supporting the science, digital and creative sectors in the city and stimulating their growth.

We discuss the projects Science City are running and the wider problems facing York and its future, we dive into Heather’s personal work and discuss the themes different artists are drawn to, as well as how to stay on top of multiple projects and make the most of your time.

Lauren Roberts (@LaLaLaLauren911) is a tattoo artist specialising in watercolour tattooing. She has developed a distinct abstract painted style, building up her portfolio and reputation as an incredible artist. In 2017 she opened a studio of her own, Adara, with business partner Josh Dixon, which has just completed its first successful year.

In this episode we discuss how you develop a style and advance your career, including the natural instinct to want to take on new challenges, we chat about working backwards to reverse engineer what it is you want in life, and we remind ourselves not to overthink things and get worked up about the small details.